Natalie Zange Kuchera, an engaged, selfless, compassionate and strong woman, passed away peacefully at the age of 92 on December 16, 2023, with family by her side. She was born in Elgin, Illinois, on April 28, 1931, to the late Paul and Elsie Zange of Algonquin, Illinois. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. William A. Kuchera, who passed in June 2023, just months before their 69th wedding anniversary.

Natalie Kuchera

Natalie was the foundation of her very large family, a catalyst of togetherness. She provided sound and reassuring advice and support at every turn. She sat on thousands of bleachers for her family as she cheered their sports and attended concerts, recitals and plays. As a teacher, she had the utmost belief in each child’s ability to become all he or she could be. She was also a voracious reader, an avid sports spectator and fan, and loved music, bridge, bowling, word games, Scrabble and puzzles.

She was educated at Algonquin Grade School and Dundee High School, graduating in 1949 with many academic, music and citizenship honors. She then graduated in 1953 from Grinnell College in Iowa with an elementary education major. While at college, she continued her flute playing in the band, where she met a trumpet player who would capture her heart. She married William (Bill) Kuchera on August 14, 1954 in Kirksville, Missouri. Bill went on to be an accomplished osteopathic physician and teacher for nearly forty years, taking the two of them from Grinnell to Kirksville, Missouri, Albert Lea, Minnesota, Bettendorf, Iowa, and then back to Kirksville. At retirement, they moved to De Pere, Wisconsin, and enjoyed their final 18 years together.

Natalie taught second and third grade for several years, initially teaching alongside her mother. She also did bookkeeping and was the treasurer for her Kirksville church. Beginning with the move to Bettendorf, she became the office manager for her husband’s private practice for many years. She also meticulously edited the many medical teaching books that her husband and son authored.

Natalie is survived by: her seven children (and spouses), Dr. Michael (Eva) Kuchera, Dan (Shelly) Kuchera, Joe (Shari) Kuchera, Ann (Al) Lawson, Martha (Marion) Horton, Elizabeth (John) Berley, and Jim (Sarah) Kuchera; 17 grandchildren (and spouses), Kathy Manning, Jennifer (Cliff) Straub, Tiffany (Brandon) Burnett, David Kuchera, Brenton (Ellen) Kuchera, Dr. Hallie Kuchera (Jake Vehlewald), Eliott Kuchera, Kevin Kuchera, Michael (Becca) Kuchera, Kyle (Stefanie) Lawson, Kelsey (Chris) Haase, Natalie (Joseph) Woodfin, Sam Horton, Mary Horton, Nathan Berley, Andrew Berley, Ian Kuchera; 13 great-grandchildren, Brandon, Kyler, Ava, Lillian, Elise, Liam, Natalie, Xia, Zoey, Harper, Laken, Ethan and Charlotte. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and her sister Marjorie (Zange) Krauss.

A private family funeral service will be held at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, 347 Libal St., DePere, WI 54115 or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

The family is grateful for the care provided to Natalie at Oak Park Place of Green Bay over the past year and to Aurora at Home Hospice, and for the guidance and support of Ryan Funeral Home and St. Anne’s Episcopal Church.